Date: June 1974

Location: Parsippany, New Jersey, USA

Type of event: accident at industrial irradiator

Description:

One person was exposed to a cobalt-60 source for 5-10 seconds before he realized the source was exposed and left the source location. He received a dose of about 400 rem and developed acute radiation syndrome but recovered despite an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant.

Consequences: 1 injury.

References:

• Ortiz, P., M. Oresegun, and J. Wheatley, 2000, "Lessons from major radiation accidents," on line, Internationl Radiation Protection Association [http://www.irpa.net/irpa10/cdrom/00140.pdf].
• Weaver, J. Ellsworth III, 1995, "A brief chronology of radiation and protection," Radiation Information Network, on line [http://www.physics.isu.edu/radinf/chrono4.htm].

© 2004, 2007, 2008 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 26 October 2008.
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